Earthquake and Tsunami Devastates Northeastern Japan

As you are undoubtedly aware, on Friday, March 11, 2011, an estimated magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred offshore in the Sanriku region of Miyagi Prefecture in Japan. Waves of tsunami of up to more than 7 meters swept cities and villages of the Tohoku region off the Pacific Ocean, causing devastating human as well as physical damages. This is the largest scale earthquake to occur in recorded Japanese history and the tsunami has caused total devastation in the city of Sendai and other areas in the Tohoku region. As of May 1st, the number of deaths is 14,704, the number of injured is 5,278, and the number of missing is 10,969. The number of those evacuated is 168,901.

DONATING TO THE RELIEF EFFORT
We ask that, in the spirit of peace, joy and charity, you please join us in making a contribution to help support the people in Japan who need our assistance more than ever. No contribution is too small, and we can assure you that 100% of your tax-deductible donation will go directly to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donations can be made on-line by clicking on the donation button below.

If you would like to send your donation by mail, please make checks payable to the JASG and mark “Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund” on the memo line. Please also include a completed Donation Form with your check.

Information regarding relief supply collections

Donate your Starwood Preffered Guest Points

Websites for people to leave messages for victims as well as rescue workers:

http://tohokujishin.wordpress.com/how-to-write-a-message-to-the-japanese...

http://tohokujishin.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/thinking-of-you/

http://tohokujishin.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/thank-you-for-your-help/

The Japan-America Society of Georgia extends its heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to the people of Japan who have been affected by Friday’s earthquake and tsunami. We know your prayers and thoughts are also with the people of Japan at this time of tragedy.

The Japanese government immediately set up a disaster headquarters, with Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the helm, and has launched a full scale disaster response in collaboration with local authorities, focusing on assisting and rescuing victims, and is exhausting all efforts to ensure the rapid resumption of the lives and economic activities of the Japanese people. Currently the government and the local authorities in the disaster areas are working to assess the damage, but it is expected to take some time to precisely ascertain the damage.

Locating Friends & Family in Japan
Please prioritize the regular telephone land lines for local emergency calls in the Tohoku area of Japan. Use E-Mail, Text Messages (SMS), Skype, Mixi, Facebook, Twitter, and Mixi to find out if your friends and family are safe.

If you would like to inquire about the safety of a U.S. citizen in Japan, you may call the United States Department of State Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (from within the United States) or 1-202-501-4444 (from overseas), or you may email them at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Regarding soldiers stationed in Japan, the Department of Defense instructs that family members of Department of Defense personnel may contact 1-800-342-9647 for more specific information.

For Assistance Contacting Japanese Citizens, as phone service to Japan is still unreliable, to confirm the safety of Japanese family members, we recommend using the Disaster Confirmation safety confirmation services provided by NTT and others which are listed below.

Google Person Finder: Google has launched its Person Finder for the Japan Earthquake. Users can input information about someone in the service or search it to see if any information is available about someone who might have been impacted by the tsunami. The resource currently has 6,900 records, but it's growing quite rapidly.

NTT Docomo Safety Response: One of Japan's mobile-phone providers is allowing users to input a loved one's mobile phone number into a search to confirm the safety of that person. Think of it as a "message board" of sorts.

KDDI Disaster Message Board: Similar to NTT Docomo's service, the KDDI Disaster Message Board lets people place messages on its service to find out about a loved one's condition. That loved one's safety can then be confirmed via mobile phone or on a PC.

Softbank Message Board: Softbank's Message Board mimics KDDI's service, allowing users to post a message to loved ones, which can then be viewed on the person's mobile phone. They can respond from that device to confirm they're safe.

For inquiries to the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta regarding the earthquake, please use their office’s contact information, listed below.

Contact:
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
3500 Lenox Rd., Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-240-4300
www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/

皆様もすでにご承知のように、先週の3月11日日本時間14時46分頃、宮城県三陸海岸沖でマグニチュード９度の大地震が発生しました。最大で７メートルを越える津波が東北地方の太平洋岸の市町村を襲い、建物、家屋の被害はもとより、多くの人命が失われました。

今回の地震は日本史上最大の規模のもので、地震に伴って発生しました津波は仙台市を中心に周辺の東北地方に多大な被害を及ぼし、１３日現在の推定では死者の数は１万人を上回ると予想されています。当局といたしましても、日本の被災者の方々に心からのお悔やみを申し上げるとともに、会員の皆様も日本のご家族の安否を気遣われていることとお察しいたします。

ジョージア日米協会では、皆様から東日本大震災の義援金を募り、ここにお願いをする次第です。義援金は１００％税金免除の対象になります。私どものサイトwww.jasgeorgia.org/eng/node/178 に行き献金をしていただくか、ＪＡＳＧ宛てに小切手をお送りくだり、“Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund”　と明記してください。

当局の活動やプログラムは従来通り続けますが、日本支援のための特別プロジェクトも考慮しており、その件につきましてまた後日ご連絡いたしますので、よろしくお願いいたします。

ジョージア日米協会理事会を代表し、メール、電話等を通じて皆様からいただく心からのお気遣いをありがたく存知ます。この困難な時期に直面している中、皆様からの心温まるおことばに暖かいご支援に感謝の念を禁じえません。

Email us or call 404-842-1400 for more information.